Orlando Magic Must Improve Spacing in Upcoming Season

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley spoke about the importance of spacing after a team practice.

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic ranked 25th in the NBA in made 3-pointers during the 2022-23 season ... and the team has a goal of changing that this year.

Even in the preseason, the signs of improvement are already apparent.

"I think they've done a great job, I mean I'll give the one example," coach Jamahl Mosley said. "Paolo's on the right block in the game against Cleveland, he shoots the pass to Franz in the corner for the feet-set three. I think if there's different spacing on the floor then that pass doesn't get through, but he read the defense the right way, he led Franz to the proper spacing, and our ability to be in the right spots from there says everything. And I think that's part of the practice, part of these guys communicating with one another. It's so big for them to be able to communicate the right way."

Last season, Orlando was one of the worst teams from beyond the arc in the NBA. As a team, it shot 34.6 percent from deep which was 24th in the league, and the Magic only attempted 31.1 three pointers per game which ranked 27th. 

The Orlando Magic were a bottom-five NBA team in terms of scoring during the 2022-23 season.  / USA Today Sports

If there's one aspect of the game that Orlando can improve on to possibly become a playoff team, it would be the spacing and shooting. The Magic lack shooting from its big name players like Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs but there is hope that new additions and offseason development can change that. 

Orlando drafted Jett Howard with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft as the first move to address the spacing need. Howard was considered to be one of the best shooting prospects in the draft coming out of Michigan. Shortly after that, the Magic signed veteran Joe Ingles, another shooter, to a two-year, $22 million contract. 

The regular season will tip-off with Orlando hosting the Houston Rockets on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.